I think for each person it is a little differant. after surgery yes, I was in intensive care, I think every person is, for how long depends on how you are doing. The anesthesia does make your tummy/bowels do some weird things. Again I think it depends with each person. I had to have a tube in my throat for a couple days so I couldnt eat anyway, and I dont think I had a bowel movement for quite awhile. After my second surgery I didnt have a tube in my throat but still didnt eat right away (I snuck some water, and I was very sick!) but I think I had a bowel movement alot quicker. I cant say how long it was before I went back to school, I had some rare complications during surgery, they told me I would be home in a week, and I wasnt home for 3 1/2 monthes. Any more questions please ask

Go to www.consulting orthopedists.com You might find some of your answers. I was in icu for a week but counting rehab4 and a half weeks. You are a lot younger and will do fine.

I had my spinal fusion a long time ago, in 1979, I wasnt in intensive care afterward, it was about 5 or 6 days b/4 they let me get up, so I had to learn to walk again. I dont remember having any problems with my stomach, I wore a full body cast for 9 months, My understanding is that is not done any longer and recovery is easier. Its probably a little different for everyone, I wish you the best. Bonnie

Hi,

I had an anterior spinal fusion so they went in my side, between my ribs and they temporarily collapsed my left lung to do so, and I had to have a drain tube from my abdomen for a few days afterwards to keep things clean and infection-free. I was in intensive care for 2 or 2.5 days I think. I was out of my mind on morphine during that time, so time flew by, I guess you'd say. My relatives were laughing at me (albeit with concern I'm sure) because I was hallucinating/dreaming on the drugs and talking to them as though they were in my dream...

I'd guess if your operation is posterior and they'll be approaching from your back you won't have to deal with any of the collapsed lung, open-abdomen stuff.

I may have a second surgery in the future, and it promises to be a lot less intrusive as they'd go in from the back this time.

I didn't eat for 3 or 4 days post-surgery, but I had no desire to, so that was no big deal. I got my appetite back about the time they started saying I could try some food, so that went fine.

I was out of commission taking it easy at home for about 2 mos, then slowly started getting out. At 3 mos, I went back to school and at 5 months I was playing bass again onstage in nightclubs.

Six months I was good to go! Straight back and could do whatever I wanted. I've had 17 years of doing anything I wanted without issues. Not everyone is so lucky.

But I'm optimistic that if you're getting worried looking around the net for people's experience, think that maybe those people with good outcomes just don't think to talk about their experience as much as those with bad outcomes.

The operation recovery was painful, for sure, but I think that may have been due to an equipment malfunction that was supposed to be administering pain meds directly to the area. I would just communicate your pain level strongly to your nurses and docs if you have pain, and have someone around who can lobby for you to your providers, cause if you're on drugs it's harder to communicate to nurses/docs who you don't know than family, etc...

I've had 4 back surgeries. I'm fused from T2 all the way down to L5. Two surgeries was for staph infection. The Last surgery was to correct a 60 & 50 degree curve. I was on the table for 8 hours and in the hospital 10 days. I have never had to stay in ICU. Yes, it takes a few days for your bowels to wake up but that is really no big deal. I too snuck water and it was wonderful. They stood me up 2 days later and I was walking sorta of on day 3. Everyone is different. Everyone responds differently. It is an extremely difficult surgery, however the complications from severe curves can be life threatening eventually.